The CPA technology gift guide

Would a new tech toy boost your holiday spirits? Consider these products.

It’s December, the heart of the holiday season and an opportune time
for CPAs to treat themselves to a tech gadget or two (or, even better,
have someone else buy them one as a gift). The hardest part is sorting
through the choices. Rapid changes in technology are creating device
obsolescence at a dizzying rate. Technology purchased just a year or
two ago may already be obsolete. So how should CPAs invest their
precious IT dollars? Following are some of the standout gear, gadgets,
and devices that deserve careful consideration.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3(microsoftstore.com): Microsoft calls the Surface Pro 3 “the tablet that can
replace your laptop.” While Microsoft critics may disagree with that
statement, I have found the claim to be credible. In my travels
speaking to accounting groups and working with clients, most of whom
are CPAs, I have seen more Surface Pro 3s as desktop and laptop
replacements than any other 2-in-1 hybrid. The Surface Pro 3 combines
the best of the tablet and laptop platforms. It has a 12-inch display
but weighs only 2.4 pounds with the keyboard/cover attached. More
importantly, the Surface Pro 3 sports the latest Intel processors,
making it capable of running new and legacy Windows software. If it’s
time to upgrade your desktop experience or you’re seeking a
dual-purpose device, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 warrants a closer look.

Prices: From $799 for 64GB of memory to $1,949 for 512GB.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S(samsung.com): Samsung is one of the most innovative and prolific
manufacturers of devices running Google’s Android operating system.
The extensive Samsung Galaxy lineup includes numerous smartphones and
tablets, with the newly released Galaxy Tab S tablet positioned as the
company’s most fully evolved blend of form, function, utility, and
price to date. The Galaxy Tab S comes in two sizes—8.4 inches and 10.5
inches—and two colors, black or white. The Galaxy Tab S stands out in
the tablet market for several reasons:

If you’re interested in a tablet, there are many good choices on the
market, but I’d make sure to at least look at the Galaxy Tab S.

Prices: 8.4 inch, $399.99 and up; 10.5 inch, $499.99 and up.

Apple iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus (apple.com): Apple made waves this fall with the release of the
iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and the iOS 8 operating system (as well as
the Apple Watch, which is mentioned in the next item). Amid great
fanfare, Apple released thinner phones with larger screens—4.7 inches
for the iPhone 6, and 5.5 inches for the iPhone 6 Plus—longer battery
life, greatly improved camera technology, and Wi-Fi speeds up to three
times faster than previous iPhones. Under the hood, both units sport
the new 64-bit A8 processor running on iOS8. Bending issues with the
new iPhones and bugs with the new iOS made this Apple launch bumpier
than most. But amid the hype and hiccups, the most compelling and
important feature in the iPhone 6 lineup may well be Apple Pay—the
electronic payment ecosystem Apple debuted in October using near-field
communication (NFC) technology built into both devices. Depending on
adoption by retailers and iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus owners, Apple Pay may
soon become the preferred way to make payments, forcing physical
credit cards to go the way of the typewriter and 8-track tapes.

Prices:

iPhone 6—With two-year contract: From $199 for 16GB; $299 for
64GB; and $399 for 128GB; contract-free: From $649 for 16GB; $749
for 64GB; and $849 for 128GB.

iPhone 6 Plus—With two-year
contract: From $299 for 16GB; $399 for 64GB; and $499 for 128GB;
contract-free: From $749 for 16GB; $849 for 64GB; and $949 for
128GB.

Pebble Steel (getpebble.com): One of the hottest trends in technology today is
wearable devices, with hundreds of vendors working to create the
perfect device. One of those vendors, Pebble, released its first
smartwatch in 2013, thanks in large part to what was the most
successful Kickstarter campaign to that point. Early users raved about
the Pebble watch’s functionality but complained that the plastic
casing and rubberized band weren’t very stylish. So in 2014, Pebble
released Pebble Steel, a successor to the original Pebble. The Pebble
Steel has a thinner body, metal buttons, and an upgraded Corning
Gorilla Glass screen. It’s available in two configurations: a black
matte finish or a brushed stainless steel finish—both with a black
leather band and matching steel band. Like the original Pebble, Pebble
Steel is capable of displaying incoming notifications regarding
emails, calls, text messages, social media updates, stock prices,
activity tracking, and more from the smartphone it’s paired with. In
addition, with an app store that now includes more than 1,000
applications, Pebble watches can be customized to each user’s
preferences. Because Pebble can pair with any iOS or Android
smartphone, chances are good it’s compatible with the phone in your
pocket or purse. Someday soon, Android Wear-based smartwatches or the
new Apple Watch might knock Pebble from its perch—but for now, Pebble
delivers the ideal amount of technology to a user’s wrist.

Price: $199.

GateKeeper Chain(gkchain.com): Tired of having to enter your password every time you
sit down in front of your computer, but want to make sure your
computer is secure each time you walk away? If so, the GateKeeper
Chain key fob may be what you need. The GateKeeper Chain is a small
device that fits in your pocket and pairs to a laptop or desktop
computer via a Bluetooth 4.0 connection. GateKeeper employs proximity
technology to unlock the host computer whenever the key fob is nearby.
It also automatically locks the device when the key fob is no longer
in range (which can extend to 100 feet). The Gatekeeper Chain is an
inexpensive and hassle-free way to ensure you can sit down and get to
work without delay but securely lock your machine—with no user
interaction—whenever you need to step away.

Price: $49.99.

TYLT Energi+ Backpack(tylt.com/energi-backpack): The TYLT Energi+ Backpack is described as a
next-generation, multifunctional briefcase, backpack, and mobile
charging station that allows users to recharge their devices while on
the move. TYLT designed the backpack so users can route charging
cables from the 10,400 milliampere-hour (mAh) rechargeable lithium ion
battery (capable of multiple recharges for most smart devices) in the
main compartment to any one of the seven internal pockets, enabling
users to connect and recharge three devices at a time. The TYLT
Energi+ Backpack wasn’t the first “powered” backpack on the market,
but it’s most definitely one of the best available today based on its
innovative design and superb functionality.

In addition to the products highlighted above, a few exciting
products are scheduled to arrive shortly:

FINsix Dart (finsix.com/dart):Tired of carrying a brick-size adapter to power your
new laptop or Ultrabook? If so, the Dart 65W power adapter by FINsix
could be the ideal solution. The FINsix Dart is just now coming to
market, but it has already received numerous awards and accolades
trumpeting it as “the world’s smallest laptop adapter.” The FINsix
Dart is four times smaller and six times lighter than most traditional
laptop power adapters. The Dart has a brushed aluminum finish and
comes in five colors. The Dart adapter also includes a USB port that
allows a user to charge his or her laptop and a USB device at the same
time. So if you’re ready to lighten your load, check out the FINsix
Dart adapter.

Airtame(airtame.com): Want to be able to stream content from virtually any
device to an HDMI-based monitor? The Airtame team is finalizing the
design and release of an inexpensive dongle (small wireless adapter)
that will allow users to collaborate and share their screen with one
click. Supported device platforms include Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac
OS, Linux, Google Android, Apple iOS, and Microsoft Windows Phone OS.
Outfitting the large display on the wall with the Airtame dongle will
enable users to project their content from most any device. Very logical.

Butterfleye(preorder.getbutterfleye.com): A number of wireless surveillance camera systems are
available today, but Butterfleye with ActiveEye technology could soon
become the industry darling. In short, Butterfleye senses whom to
record and when to record using ActiveEye intelligence. ActiveEye uses
sophisticated motion detection technology and thermal sensors that can
tell a human from other types of moving objects in the room where it’s
placed. Butterfleye can also sense rapid temperature changes and fire.
When any of these events are detected, users are notified via their
smartphone, where they can then view a video feed in real time or view
previously recorded content. The Butterfleye camera also has two-way
audio capabilities, enabling the user to record events as they occur
and communicate through the built-in speaker. Finally, Butterfleye
also uses iBeacon and Wi-Fi to know when a user is nearby—giving users
privacy when they are nearby, but staying alert when they are away.
Butterfleye is nearing production, with general availability set for
early 2015.

The Information Management and Technology Assurance (IMTA) division
serves members of the IMTA Membership Section, CPAs who hold the
Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) credential, other
AICPA members, and accounting professionals who want to maximize
information technology to provide information management and/or
technology assurance services to meet their clients’ or organization’s
operational, compliance, and assurance needs. To learn about the IMTA
division, visit aicpa.org/IMTA. Information about the CITP
credential is available at aicpa.org/CITP.

When professionals prepare written material for readers inside their organization or outside, they should make sure that no errors distract from the message they need to convey. Take this short quiz for practice in subject-verb agreement.